Center for International Human Rights (CIHR)

Human Rights Seminar Series 2014-2015

Each academic year, CIHR invites renowned scholars and/or practitioners to address cutting-edge human rights topics. The focus of the 2014-2015 Seminar is on Mental Health and Human Rights. While the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) stipulates the “right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health,” such issues have yet to receive adequate treatment within the human rights discourse. Mental health, which is an indispensable component of well-being, remains a distant goal for many people throughout the world. Despite advances in treatment and increased research on mental health, the quest for the “highest attainable standard” faces considerable challenges. Among these challenges, stigmatization was and remains a major concern. The discriminatory treatment of people with mental illness severely restricts their access to health care, as well as to the underlying determinants of health, and undermines their ability to reach their full potential as productive members of society. Our seminar series will address some of the main issues involved in the effort to advance a less discriminatory, more inclusive social order where the aspirations of people with mental health concerns can be fully realized.

More information on the Spring 2015 series can be found in our Events tab. We are currently working on updating our website so please continue to check back for more details.

Greek and European Union Policies on Migration: Challenges and Prospects Watch our event on May 13th 2014: